Fulbright to Germany

Anthony Kersting, UD senior physics major with a German concentration, has been awarded
a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship for the academic year 2015-16. Anthony has completed
research in observational astronomy where he investigated dwarf nova ASASSN-14cv. He is also a member of Lyric Theater and Collegium Cantorum. Anthony
joins physics majors William Spearman (Research Fulbright to CERN in 2008) and Jamie
Antonelli (Research Fulbright to France in 2005) as recent physics majors who have
won this prestigious award.

Anthony Kersting Fulbright 2015

Texas APS Presentations

Three senior physics majors presented the results of their senior research projects
at the Spring 2015 Meeting of the Texas Section of the American Physical Society.
The meeting was held at Lee College, March 6-7, 2015.

On June 21, 2014 a new bright cataclysmic variable star, ASASSN-14cv, was detected
in the constellation Draco by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae, ASAS-SN.
The 13th magnitude CV matches to a blue 19th magnitude SDSS star, but no previous
outburst data is to be found in CRTS data. During follow-up observations performed
using the University of North Texas' Monroe Robotic Observatory, the CV was observed
over the course of ten nights for a total of 495 images from its early plateau stage
until quiescence. Ensemble photometry performed on the raw images was used to produce
light curves for the CV which were then analyzed in order to determine an early superhump period
of 0.0592 d. During quiescence the orbital period was measured to be 0.0609 d. Early
outburst data is rare and few observers go on to perform careful analysis of such
data, making these results of particular interest in studying CVs.

Discovery and Follow-up Observations of the Exoplanet Candidate GSC02087-011261

Wide angle survey measurements;by the University of Dallas Small Telescope Extrasolar
Transit Survey (STExTS) in the summer of 2012 found that the star GSC02087-01126 exhibits
characteristics of a possible transit. According to the UCAC4 catalogue, the star
has a (B-V)o magnitude of 0.265, corresponding to a temperature of 7402 K, whichis a reasonable for a star in possession of a planet. Using the box least squares
(BLS) function, we determined a likely period for the orbit of 0.79380 days.

Calculation of the ephemeris led to taking follow up data targeted toward the specific
dates of the transit in the summer of 2014 with additional follow-up;measurements
in the spring of 2015 using the University of North Texas' Monroe Robotic Observatory.
The observational data and calculated quantities will be presented.

Visualizing the Growth of High Energy Density Mixing Layers

Luke Simmons(University of Dallas and Lawrence Livermore National Lab)

Kumar Raman(Lawrence Livermore National Lab)

At Lawrence Livermore National Lab, we computationally modeled the mixing layer between two fluids as high energy density
shock waves passed through the interface between the fluids. This modeling was done
with the aim of designing a NIF target which could be imaged using X-rays on the order
of 10 keV in order to measure the width of the target's mixing layer. We used an Arbitrary
Lagrangian-Eulerian modeling method and tested several different target designs and
shock wave drives. One design which showed great potential for a successful measurement
was a bifurcated target. Special consideration was given the error introduced with
a bifurcated target.

Six senior physics majors gave talks at the Texas Section of the American Physical
Society Fall Meeting held at Texas A&M University October 17-19, 2014. The five students
who are also members of the TX Section of the APS received APS travel awards to attend
the conference and present the results of their summer research. The University of Dallas Experience Awards covered other travel expenses to make this event very successful for our students.
A seventh senior attended the conference.

Charging and Interaction of Two-Particle System within a Glass Box Immersed in a Low-Vacuum
Argon Plasma

Michael Hoff(University of Dallas)

Due to Debye screening, the interaction between charged dust particles within a plasma
may not be considered as a simple Coulomb force. In order to observe particle interaction,
the top particle in a vertical, two-particle chain is pushed from its equilibrium
position using a high-power Verdi laser, and as it returns to equilibrium will interact
with the second particle. In order to isolate the particle interaction force, the
electrostatic force and neutral drag force are subtracted from the net force acting
on the particle by using a single particle undergoing damped oscillations in the box
as a reference. The net electric field and drag force within the glass box are examined
by forcing damped oscillations of a single particle, in the vertical direction by
an applied DC bias between electrodes and in the horizontal direction by laser-pushing.
It is found that in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions the electric field
depends linearly on the particle's distance from its equilibrium position, and the
linear coefficient to describe the field in turn has a linear dependence on plasma
power. After isolating the particle-particle interaction force, what is expected to
be an equal and opposite interaction force between the particles is instead found
to be asymmetric, and possible causes for this are discussed.

Inelastic neutron scattering cross sections have been deduced from γ-ray production
cross sections for 56Fe. Measurements were made at the University of Kentucky Accelerator
Laboratory using the neutron production and detection facilities located there. A
natural iron sample (91.72%} isotopic abundance of 56Fe) was bombarded with a nearly mono-energetic incident neutron beam with energies
in a range from 1.5-4.7 MeV. Gamma-ray excitation functions were determined for each
observed γ ray in this energy range; from these, branching ratios and γ-ray production
cross sections were determined and neutron scattering cross sections deduced. Gamma-ray
excitation functions were also measured for 27Al, 48Ti, and 51V to investigate using the deduced neutron scattering cross sections as
standards to normalize absolutely the 56Fe cross sections. Cross sections determined in this work are compared to evaluated
data from the National Nuclear Data Center.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Performance and Materials Chemistry of a Silicone-Based
Replicating Compound

The objective of this project was to characterize the performance and chemistry of
a silicone-based replicating compound. Some silicone replicating compounds are useful
for critical inspection of surface features. Common applications are for examining
micro-cracks, surface pitting, scratching, and other surface defects. Materials characterization
techniques were used: FTIR, XPS, ToF-SIMS, AFM, and Confocal Microscopy to evaluate
the replicating compound. These techniques allowed for the characterization and verification
of the resolution capabilities and surface contamination that may be a result of using
the compound. The AFM and Confocal Microscopy results showed the compound does accurately
replicate the surface features to the claimed resolution. XPS and ToF-SIMS showed
there is a silicone contaminant layer left behind when a cured replica is peeled off
a surface. Attempts to clean off the contamination could not completely remove all
silicone. The methods and results for the compounds will be presented.

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
seeks to achieve thermonuclear ignition through inertial confinement fusion. The accurate
assessment of the performance of each implosion experiment is a crucial step. Here
we report on work to derive a reliable electron temperature for the cryogenic deuterium-tritium
implosions completed on the NIF using the x-ray signal from the Ross filter diagnostic.
These x-rays are dominated by bremsstrahlung emission. By fitting the x-ray signal
measured through each of the individual Ross filters, the source bremsstrahlung spectrum
can be backed out, and an electron temperature of the implosion hot spot inferred.
Currently, each filter is weighted equally in thisanalysis. We present work quantifying
the error bars with such a technique, and results investigating the contribution of
each filter to the overall accuracy of the temperature inference. Using this research,
we also compare the inferred electron temperature against other measured implosion
quantities to develop a more complete understanding of the hot-spot physics.

The ability to efficiently and accurately determine the charge carrier mobility (CCM)
in poly (3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) thin films is important for measurements
of quality in P3HT based electronic devices. P3HT is an important semiconducting organic
polymer that is one of the leading candidates for use in organic thin-film and, flexible
electronics. CCM is routinely determined using methods such as field effect mobility
measurements; however, this requires the devices fabrication to be completed in addition
to a process of probing the device for current vs voltage readings. Because of these
requirements a non-contact optical method was investigated to efficiently predict
the CCM of P3HT thin films. Ellipsometric methods were used to examine the anisotropic
nature of P3HT with a goal of determining the overall order of the polymer chains
in the film and thereby predicting CCM. Results indicate that P3HT chains easily adopt
a preferred order in the film, that charge transport is two dimensional, and that
annealing temperature does not affect the anisotropic nature of P3HT but does increase
the size of the crystallites. These findings will be discussed in detail.

Due to the importance of neutrons for the successful and safe operation of fission
reactors, it is necessary to obtain accurate and expansive knowledge about how they
interact with the surrounding materials. Iron is commonly used to build reactor components,
and how neutrons interact with Fe can affect the efficiency and rate of reaction within
a reactor. This research studies the gamma ray emission and neutron scattering probabilities
from two common iron isotopes, 54Fe and 56Fe, when bombarded with a monoenergetic neutron beam in the 1.5 MeV-4.7 MeV range.
This talk will focus on the gamma ray emissions from an enriched 54Fe sample that has been excited by inelastic scattering of neutrons. From these emissions,
a nuclear excitation level scheme was built, and new information about the excitation
of 54Fe nuclei was obtained. A basic overview of the experimental equipment used, measurements
taken, results, and final level scheme will be discussed and compared to previous
measurements.

Interactive Cosmological Modeling with Easy Java Simulations: Constraints from a New
Growth of Structure Module of CosmoEJS

Jacob Moldenhauer and William Zimmerman

(University of Dallas)

Several cosmological observations suggest the universe's expansion is accelerating.
Some possible explanations include a cosmological constant, or other form of repulsive
dark energy, i.e. negative pressure and negative equation of state, a modification
to general relativity at cosmological scales of distances, or an apparent effect of
inhomogeneities in the universe. CosmoEJS is an interactive simulation package that
allows educators and researchers to investigate cosmological models by simultaneously
fitting several observations numerically. Previously, this package only used expansion
history data sets, like supernovae, gamma ray bursts, baryon acoustic oscillations,
the Hubble parameter, and the cosmic microwave background radiation; but data sets
which measure the growth of galaxy structure formation, or clustering, have been shown
to be more constraining for particular sets of models. We present a new module that
enables constraints from growth data sets for various cosmological models. When combined
with expansion history observations, these constraints from the growth of structure
can drastically reduce the number of competitive cosmological models. CosmoEJS is
available from Compadre Open Source Physics website, i.e. http://www.compadre.org/osp/items/detail.cfm?ID=12406.

Stipes Elementary STEAM Day - May 16, 2014!

Students at Stipes Elementary observe Ne spectral lines.

University of Dallas outreach to Stipes Elementary provided many 5th graders with
an opportunity to investigate energy and energy production. Students observed electromagnetic
induction, electric generators, hydroelectric and nuclear power generation (the latter
two through Youtube!).

Texas APS Talks Spring 2014

Observations and Modeling of Two New W UMa Stars

by Nick Hedlesky

W Ursae Majoris (W UMa) binary stars are important in the investigation of the evolution
of close contacting binary stars. We present the discovery of two new W UMa binary
stars in the boundary between the Lyra and Hercules regions: USNO-­‐B1.011159-­‐0266370 and
1154-­‐0266276. Using time sequenced differential photometry and PHOEBE we determined
the characteristics and classifications of systems and created a preliminary models,
which will be presented.

Blazhko Effect in a Newly Discovered and a Known RR Lyrae Star

by Matthew Melendez

Studies of RR Lyrae stars provide insight into the pulsation processes of variable
stars. Several RR Lyrae stars were observed in a wide angle search for extrasolar
planets in the boundary between Hercules and Lyra. We present observations of a newly
observed RR Lyrae star, USNO1138-0264690, as well as a new perspective on a known
RR Lyrae Star, LW Her. Variations in the period and amplitude of RR Lyrae stars, known
as the Blazhko effect, were observed found in these stars. The data, analysis, and
preliminary dynamical systems modeling of the Blazhko effect in these stars will be
presented.

UD physics major Zach Santonil and chemistry major Aaron French completed gamma-ray
measurements at the University of Kentucky over winter break (Jan. 4-17, 2014). Shown
below are the two students with the UK accelerator engineer, Gene Baber, changing
the rf ion source on the model CN 7 MV Van de Graaff accelerator.

Aaron and Zach (2014)

UD Affiliate Professor Jacob Moldenhauer Presented his Research at the

Interactive Cosmological Modeling Tools with Easy Java Simulations

We present essential interactive simulations that enable testing of a general spectrum
of cosmological models. These Easy Java Simulation based programs utilize genuine
data sets obtained from various observational surveys and quantitative comparison
routines to produce results. The software collection provides a means of combining
plotting features and parameter manipulation in a single package. Versions of the
programs have been designed for educators and researchers alike. These programs can
be found at Compadre Open Source Physics website, i.e. http://www.compadre.org/osp/items/detail.cfm?ID=12406.

Texas APS Presentations Fall 2013

Three UD physics majors - Jack Bredemann, Elizabeth Sizemore, and Sam Henderson -
presented their summer research results at the Fall meeting of the Texas Section of
the American Physical Society. The abstracts from their talks are given below

Methodologies for Analyzing Motion Data in Humans

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are used to acquire acceleration, rotation, and
magnetic field data in three dimensions. When attached to individual body segments
these devices can wirelessly stream this data to computer workstations for analysis.
The patterns seen can then be used to evaluate relative movements. In this study,
rotation at the knee was analyzed by devices worn on the leg and thigh. Gait was studied
over dissimilar surfaces, including flat, railroad ballast, and stairs. Image density,
neural network, and fractal analysis techniques were employed to evaluate acquired
data. Imaging software contributed to the quantification of rotation data in the X
and Z axes. Error propagation neural networks create heuristic problem solvers that
excel at analyzing non-linear relationships and capturing associations within a set.
Fractal analysis gives us terms to express the degree of self similarity, which was
applied to the different surface data. Determinations from these techniques will be
presented.

Using RPC Data to Assist CSC Data when Dealing with Pt Assignment

John Bredemann, Department of Physics, University of Dallas

Ivan Furic and Matthew Carver, Department of Physics, University of Florida

The Compact Muon Solenoid's (CMS) two main detectors used in the endcaps, the CSC
and RPC, are positioned closely together [1]. This means that, while the RPC's main
function is one of time synchronization and the CSC's is one of precise position measurement,
the former may be able to be used as a supplement to the latter's data when assigning
the momentum value (Pt) to a muon passing through the two detectors. Using the RPC's
positions variable (Phi), a comparison was made between it and the CSC's Phi reading
in order to determine whether there was sufficient correlation between them to use
the RPC's data where the CSC has gaps. Preliminary results on this analysis will be
presented.

Accurate and precise neutron scattering data from 54Fe and other structural materials in the fast neutron energy region are essential
for the optimization of current and future fission reactors. Neutron scattering and
absorption by Fe affects the ideal operating parameters for the nuclear fission process
and also affects the overall efficiency of the nuclear reactor. While neutron elastic
cross sections for 54Fe at incident neutron energies between 3 and 4 MeV have been previously measured,
the previous experiments tended towards larger error in the elastic, and there is
a significant dearth of experimental data for the inelastic states. Neutron elastic
and inelastic differential scattering crosssections of 54Fe have been measured at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory at the
fast neutron energies of En=3 MeV and 4 MeV. Results from our measurements and comparisons
to evaluated cross sections from the National Nuclear Data Center will be presented.

Five UD senior physics majors presented talks on their research at the Spring Meeting
of the Texas Section of the American Physical Society Meeting at Tarleton State University,
April 4-6, 2013. A sixth senior presented her research results at the South Central
Undergraduate Women in Physics 2013 Conference held at UT, Austin January 18–20, 2013.
A seventh presented her research at the Southwest Theoretical Chemistry Conference
at TX A&M on October 26-28, 2012, and the eight senior presented her research at the North
Texas Life Science Research Symposium, November 3, 2012, University of North Texas
Health Science Center, Ft. Worth, TX. Nice job seniors!

Graphitic Carbon Nitride Fabrication

Adam Collard, University of Dallas, Yancen Li and Joel Therrien, University of Massachusetts,
Lowell

Abstract: Single atom thickness carbon nitride sheets have been predicted as good
high speed semiconductors. However, it is diﬃcult to synthesize large continuous single
layer sheets. Although large amorphous multilayer sheets can be produced easily, single
layer sheets require a precise deposition method and solution. We synthesized the
carbon nitride at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in the Center for High-rate
Nanomanufacturing. Synthesis starts by depositing solutions on silicon wafers using
various deposition methods. Wafers are then baked in an ultrahigh purity argon environment
where ammonia is removed thereby transforming the chemical deposit of Dicyandiamide
into carbon nitride. After baking samples they are tested with Raman Spectroscopy
and Atomic Force Microscopy. Single atom thickness samples are then patterned using
negative photoresist lithography and coated with aluminum. Excess aluminum is removed
and the samples are probed to test band gap and resistivity. Diﬃculties were encountered
in ﬁnding a good solvent, proper concentration, and deposition method that worked.
The synthesis techniques, solution types, baking speciﬁcations, characterization techniques, and
results will be presented.

STEXT TEAM

Evaluation of Two Transit Algorithms

Abstract: Crucial in the data pipeline for transit searches are dependable algorithms
which hunt for transits in accumulated light curves. We used C++ versions of EEBLS
(Edge Enhanced Box Least Squares) and QATS (Quasi Automated Transit Search) algorithms
to search for possible transits in the STExT group database of light curves of approximately
2500 stars. The outputs of these two programs were compared and a list of potential
binary candidates was determined. We will compare the algorithms and discuss possible
candidates for transits.

Calculations for Two New Binaries and V1097 Herculis

James John Meier, Richard Olenick, Arthur Sweeney, Jeffrey Schniederjan, Matthew Heuser, University
of Dallas, STEXTS TEAM

Abstract: We report the results of time-resolved CCD photometry of two new binaries
and V1097 in the constellation Hercules. Our observations were carried out using a
six-inch, wide angle lens astrograph with a set focal length of 200 mm, three-degree
ﬁeld of view and f/1.5 stopped down to an f/2.8 in Pitkin, Colorado in the R band
for 35 nights during the early summer of 2012. We exposed each image for one minute
and took 300 images per night, obtaining 10,500 images in total. Using Peranso software,
Lomb-Scargle period analysis was carried out for the binaries. We will present the
O-C calculations for the two new binaries, GSC 2087- 0364, GSC 2083-1870 as well as
for V1097 Her.

Modeling of Three New Binaries in Hercules

Jeffrey Schniederjan, Richard Olenick, Arthur Sweeney, James Meier and Matthew Heuser, University of Dallas,
STEXTS TEAM

Abstract: We report the results of modeling of three new binaries in Hercules discovered
through time-resolved photometry by the Small Telescope Exoplanet Transit Search (STExTS)
project. Observations were made with a 200 mm astrograph f/1.5 stopped down to an
f/2.8 in the R band over a period of seven weeks in summer 2012 in Pitkin, CO. A total
of 10,500 calibrated images and PHOEBE were used to model the light curves of the
newly discovered binaries GSC 2087-1870, GSC 2083-1875, and GSC 2087-0364. The binaries'
parameter and classiﬁcations will be presented.

Abstact: Elastic and inelastic neutron scattering differential cross sections from 23Na, useful in certain ﬁssion reactor applications, were measured using the neutron
scattering and detection facilities at the University of Kentucky (UK) in June of
2012. A pulsed proton beam was accelerated using the 7-MV Van de Graaf accelerator, and
neutrons were produced using the 3H(p,n)3He source reaction, which occurred when the proton beam was incident on a tritium
cell at the end of the beam line. The neutrons were scattered off a 23Na sample and detected by a C6D6 liquid scintillation detector using pulse shape discrimination and time-of-ﬂight
methods. Angular distributions of scattered neutrons were measured for incident neutron
energies of 3.20 and 3.40 MeV. These incident neutron energies were chosen because
they are of interest for reactor applications and because few previous measurements
exist in this region. As the result of data analysis performed at the University of
Dallas, the elastic and inelastic neutron scattering differential cross sections on
23Na were determined for the 3.20 and 3.40 MeV incident neutron energy measurements.
Results from this analysis and comparisons to evaluated nuclear data predictions for
these cross sections will be presented. 1This work was supported by the Department of Energy, through the NEUP Program, and
by the Cowan Physics Fund at the University of Dallas.

UD senior physics major Brett Combs presented the results of her summer 2012 research
at the South Central Undergraduate Women in Physics 2013 Conference held at UT, Austin
January 18–20, 2013. Brett studied neutron scattering from Na-23 as her senior thesis
research.

Two UD physics majors give talks over their summer research during the Fall 2012 semester.
Here are their abstracts:

Dispersion-Corrected Rung-3.5 Density Functionals

Jessie Girgis

Abstract: Density functional theory (DFT) is a method used to approximate molecular
electronic structure. Weak dispersion (van der Waals) interactions are important in
many chemical processes, and not well approximated by standard DFT approximations.
These chemical processes can be treated by adding an empirical dispersion correction
to standard DFT methods. We tested an empirical dispersion correction for some standard
DFT methods, and for new 'Rung 3.5' DFT approximations. We used benchmark calculations
on noble gas dimers to fit an adjustable parameter in the dispersion correction, as
well as parameters in the 'Rung 3.5' functionals. We then tested the parameterized
methods for standard sets of accurately known gas-phase small molecule interaction
energies (hydrogen bonds, charge-transfer, and so on). We conclude that dispersion
corrected 'Rung 3.5' functionals are as accurate as standard dispersion-corrected
DFT for weak interactions.

Presented at the Southwest Theoretical Chemistry Conference at TX A&M on October 26-28,
2012

Poison Pill: Using a Blocked Mutant to Study Microtubule Dynamics

Laura Downes

Abstract: Microtubules are dynamic cytoskeletal polymers that have critical roles in intracellular
organization and chromosome segregation. Microtubules display 'dynamic instability',
switching apparently randomly between phases of growing and shrinking. Despite years
of study, the molecular details underlying catastrophe-the switch from growing to
shrinking-remain largely unknown. One cause of this persistent lack of understanding
is the inability to use site-directed αβ-tubulin as a way to modulate and understand
dynamic instability. The Rice lab has developed an αβ-tubulin mutant which blocks
at the growing microtubule end and will open up a field of observation inaccessible
to wild-type tubulin concentration changes alone. By using DICT microscopy and flow
chambers promoting microtubule growth, I observed that microtubules had shorter average
lifetimes and unaffected growth velocities in the presence of blocked mutant compared
to the wild-type controls. Through my experiments, we have identified a regime of
microtubule dynamics that we could not access by simply changing the concentration
of αβ-tubulin. Further investigation includes developing a computational model of
this experiment.

Presented at the North Texas Life Science Research Symposium, November 3, 2012, University
of North Texas Health Science Center, Ft. Worth, TX.

University of Dallas physics graduate, Will Spearman, is a co-author on the Higgs
Boson paper, "Observation of a new particle in the search for the Standard Model Higgs boson with
the ATLAS detector at the LHC", Phys. Lett. B, Volume 716, Issue 1, 17 September 2012, Pages 1–29. The full list of co-authors is available at Higgs Paper.

Abstract: Nuclear data important for the design and development of the next generation
of light-water reactors and future fast reactors include elastic and inelastic neutron
scattering cross sections on important structural materials, such as Fe, and on coolant
materials, such as Na. These reaction probabilities are needed since neutron reactions
impact fuel performance during irradiations and the overall efficiency of reactors.
While neutron scattering cross sections from these materials are available for certain
incident neutron energies, the fast neutron region, particularly above 2 MeV, has
large gaps for which no measurements exist, or the existing uncertainties are large.
Measurements have been made at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory to
measure neutron scattering cross sections on both natFe and 23Na in the region where
these gaps occur and to reduce the uncertainties on scattering from the ground state
and first excited state of these nuclei. Results from measurements on natFe at incident
neutron energies between 2 and 4 MeV will be presented and comparisons will be made
to model calculations available from data evaluators.

Presented at the 22nd International conference on the Use of Small Accelerators for
Teaching and Research, August 5-10, 2012, Ft. Worth, TX.

Small Telescope Extrasolar Transit Search

Richard P. Olenick (University of Dallas, USA)

An observational campaign involving undergraduates was made of the open cluster Dolidze-Dzimseleshvili
9 with an f/1.5 152 mm astrograph for 37 nights in 2011. Lightcurves were obtained
for approximately 1900 stars that were extracted and catalogued from the images. A
software processing pipeline and SQL were created to provide methods for similar research
at other universities. We report on the binaries, variable stars, and transit candidates
found.

Presented at the European Week of Astronomy and Space Science, July 1-6, 2012, Pontificia
Università Lateranense, Rome.

Graduation 2012

Jared Rovny, Andrew Bechter, Blaise Dufrain, Eric Bechter, and Gerard Nichel received
their B.S. degrees in physics on a beautiful day - May 13, 2012. Jared also gave
the valedictory address.

$192k Department of Energy Grant Awarded to UD

May 8, 2012

The “Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project” is supported under the Nuclear Energy
University Programs (NEUP) of the Department of Energy (DOE). The work is part of
a total grant of over $880k for a collaborative research effort between the University
of Kentucky (Profs. Marcus T. McEllistrem and Steven W. Yates, the University of
Dallas (Prof. Sally F. Hicks), the United States Naval Academy (Prof. Jeffrey R. Vanhoy), and Idaho National Laboratory
(Dr. Tony S. Hill) . The proposed neutron scattering cross sections are important
for the advanced nuclear fuels program of the DOE, which sponsors research and development
of innovative next-generation light water nuclear reactors and future fast reactors.
This award provides financial support for UD students to participate in the research,
both for experiments at the University of KY and for data analysis at UD.

Physics Students Discuss Their Research at TX APS Meetings 2011-2012

Photometric Search for Variables in DD9 with STExTS

The Small Telescope Extrasolar Transit Searches (STExTS) project is a small aperture,
wide-angle search for planetary transits and variable stars. Observations of the open
cluster Dolidze-Dzimseleshvili 9 were made with an f/2.8 152 mm astrograph for 37
nights in 2011. Lightcurves were obtained for approximately 1900 stars that were extracted
and catalogued from the images. We report on preliminary results and characteristics
of new binary stars discovered.

Presented at the Joint Spring 2012 Meeting of the Texas Sections of the APS and AAPT
and Zone 13 of the SPS

Small Telescope Exoplanet Transit Search (STExTS) Transit Candidates in the Open Cluster

The STExTs project searched for transit candidates in the open cluster Dolidze-Dzimselshvili
9 in Hercules for 37 nights using a f/2.8 152 mm astrograph. Approximately 11,000
images were obtained, processed, and analyzed for signatures of transits. We will
present preliminary candidates and orbital periods.

Presented at the Joint Spring 2012 Meeting of the Texas Sections of the APS and AAPT
and Zone 13 of the SPS

In digital astronomical image processing, distortion limits the quality of photometric
data. Often, this precludes accurate and precise analysis of stars or planetary features
imaged close to one another. This is a problem in particular for period analysis of
binary stars and searching for planetary transits, due to the merging of nearby stars
into the area of interest. I proposed a method which utilizes a pair of filters and
pixel math to increase resolution, thereby improving astronomical image features and
enabling more precise analysis thereof. Comparison of processed and unprocessed data
was done by comparing signal to noise ratio and brightness profiles of each. All calculations
were performed and results analyzed using Astronomical Image Processing for Windows
(AIP4WIN) by Richard Berry. In many cases, previously unusable star profiles were
resolved sufficiently to take photometric data from them, while those with low signal
to noise ratios improved by a factor of two to three. These results suggest that the
proposed method could be used to enable photometric analysis of previously un-usable
data.

Presented at the Joint Spring 2012 Meeting of the Texas Sections of the APS and AAPT
and Zone 13 of the SPS

Small Telescope Extrasolar Transit Searches (STExTS) Data Analysis

In 2011 the STExTs project surveyed the open cluster Dolidze-Dzimselshvili 9 in Hercules
for 37 nights using a f/2.8 152 mm astrograph during which time approximately 11,000
images were obtained. We will discuss the star extraction algorithm, systematic error
removal algorithm, and analyses used in processing the lightcurves for approximately
1900 stars. We will present our findings on new variable star candidates as well as
new characteristics of existing variable stars.

Presented at the Joint Spring 2012 Meeting of the Texas Sections of the APS and AAPT
and Zone 13 of the SPS

Further Measurements of the New Dwarf Nova J2138+26

J2138+26 is a new WZ Sge-type dwarf nova, discovered by Dae-Am Yi et al. on May 7,
2010 (CBET 2273). The object is suggested to be similar to GW Lib, another WZ Sge
star outbursting in 2007, in terms of a low inclination angle and apparent brightness.
J2138+26 is a binary star system with a variable light output caused by precession
of the accretion disk around the white dwarf in the cataclysmic variable system. J2138
enters certain periods of outburst when it is significantly brighter, and its regular
light variations (from precession), called superhumps, have a changing period. Additional
photometric observation of this system provides information about the changing amplitude
and period of its superhumps and outbursts, which in turn helps to determine the system's
history and physical activity, as well as providing insight into cataclysmic variable
systems and their behavior in general. The research in July 2010, done by the named
authors and using a 0.6-m telescope from the Sternberg Astronomical Institute's branch
of the Crimean Observatory in Crimea, was focused on such photometric observation.
Data and analysis of the superhump periods will be presented. The analysis of data
taken by Dr. Voloshina and ourselves will be presented with a focus on the changing
amplitude and period of J2138, and the physical significance of these results discussed.

Dr. Hicks gives invited seminar at the University of Notre Dame

The Beauty of the (n,n'γ) Reaction for Investigating Collective Excitations Across
the Te Isotopic Chain

Invited talk on nuclear structure delivered by Dr. Sally Hicks at the nuclear physics
seminar at the University of Notre Dame on 2/20/2012. UD students who worked on
the study of the Te nuclei were acknowledged for their work. These include: J. C.
Boehringer, Matthew Burns, Meghan M. Walbran, Beth Sklaney, Gary Alexander, Corey
Collard, Steve Etzkorn, William Faulkner,Patrick Roddy, Chris Davoren, Chris Aubin,
Jeff Ellis, and Peter Burkett.

A Kumar , M.T. McEllistrem , B.P. Crider , E.E. Peters, F.M.Prados-Est´evez, A Chakraborty,
J.R. Vanhoy, L.J. Kersting , C. J. Lueck , P.J. McDonough , A Sigillito , S.F. Hicks , S.W. Yates, Talk delivered by Ajay Kumar at the Fourteenth International
Symposium on Capture Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy and Related Topics, University of Guelph,
Canada August 28 - September 2, 2011. University of Dallas students who participated
in the research are highlighted with bold letters. Their name also appears in the
conference proceedings, written by Dr. Sally Hicks and Dr. Jeff Vanhoy. Dr. Hicks
also served as a session chair at this conference.

Physics Majors in Rome Visit Castel Gandolfo

Vatican Observatory Visit

Sophomore physics major Jeff Schniederjan reports that , "We got to see one of the
two telescopes on Castel Gandolfo. We also got to see the offices where anyone who
works in the Vatican Observatory spends most of their time. Our tour was courtesy
of Fr. Brown. Besides working in the Observatory he is also the librarian there. So
he showed us some more familiar modern day textbooks and some really old ones too.
The first book is Copernicus' De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium 2nd edition from
about 1550. Then Galileo's book that got him in trouble with the church. Also equally
as notable is Newtons Principia Mathematica printed in 1713. We all had a great time
getting to tour the castle and visiting with Fr. Brown."

Outstanding Presentation Award

Senior physics major Anthony Sigillito was awarded the Outstanding Student Presentation Award at the Texas Section of the American Physical Society Fall-2010 meeting in San Antonio,
TX. His oral presentation "The Design and Fabrication of Bismuth Hall Effect Biosensors"
stood out among the 100+ presentations of students who participated in the competition.
Anthony received a $200 prize for his accomplishment. (Award announced 1/3/2011.)

Meziere Family Gift to the Physics Department

The Meziere Family Observatory was built by senior physics major Kyle Meziere and
his father. The 10-foot diameter dome was donated to the UD Physics Department for
student and faculty use. Mr. Meziere and his family (shown in the above figure along
with Mr. Arthur Sweeney on the right) hauled the observatory from San Diego to its
temporary location at the home of adjunct physics professor Mr. Arthur Sweeney over
the Thanksgiving holidays. The department hopes to move the observatory to a dark
site outside of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area as soon as an appropriate site is determined.
The physics faculty deeply appreciate this generous donation and will do their best
to make sure many UD students are able to use the facility for observations and research.
See Meziere Observatory in Astronomy Corner for more details.